The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-21

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ton, in its object, its organization, its
inf uence. its results, stands abreast
with the great church of God uni
versal. / am aware that this is saying
much, as it is saying that in all these
things we are far in advance of all
other organizations except the church,
hut | do say it, and am willing now
and always to contend for the truth
of the statement. | will give but one
reason here. The Young Mems
Chritian Association combines the
best bone. muscle and sinew of all the
churches in community in one mighty
fibre of strength, which is conse-
Grated to God in the service of His
Son. for the one object of the saliva
ton of the most important factor in
the worlds population and in the
future history of His church on earth.
Tine work for the past year in Dallas
has rot been wanting in evidence OF
this. Many who had
but little idea of what the actual
workings of the association meant and
what ii is intended to do Tor the
young men of n city have come to an
enlarged conception, a better knowl-
edge. such az TO make them friends of
the institution forever.
The wear has been largely one Of
laying foundations for better work in
the future, by the overcoming of pre-
iudice, correcting false impressions,
| teaching correct methods, intoxicating
interest in and love for young men as
class, bringing scattered forces to-
gether, building up character and a
good name. cementing ties of friend
ship in the Christian young men,
doing all the work possible in the
present without losing sight of the
future, making trials OF methods,
learning the special needs of the fell.
disseminating all the general informa-
ton possible, and doing what we
could in the way Of organization. =
Take for instance the great num-
Der of young men i'll our city, prob
ably 1000 or 5000, their great need of
the privileges offered by the associa-
ton, and consider how many and
great are these. privileges viz: the
gymnasium, the baths, the papers,
periodicals and books to suit nearly
every taste found in the reading
room, the games of dominoes, check
crs, chess and crokinole for recrea-
ton, the privilege of the reception
room, open for social converse and
writing letters at all hours of the
day and evening, the employment de-
partment doing all possible to assist
the employer and the employe to come
together for mutual profit, the care
in sickness, the opportunity for per-
sonal advice and sympathy, the socia's
and receptions, the classes, entertain
ments and lectures, the literary society,
the.special religious work in open air
meetings, Jail work, cottage meetings,
special me tings for young men, noon
day meetings and conservation meet
ings, and in fact the open Christian
home, with its widespreading care and
influence, open day and night, with its
large family of Christian young men
ready to be all they can as father,
mother and brother to the stranger
young man, aud then think that only
621 have become members.
Let us view the years work from an
other point of observation, taking
some account of the difficult es in the
way and the results as compared with
that of work under somewhat similar
circums tances the world over.
Now let us note some OF the real diff
ficu,ties and some of the things which
have hindered us from doing what
might be termed regulation Associa
ton work. Let it be remembered
that this is done in no fault-finding or
complaining spirit, but that many
things may be explained in this way
to many minds which might other
wise be fully understood. They can
only be enumerated.
1st. A secretary in new field, I'M
known to the members and the men,
bers unknown TO him.
End. A large membership on paper,
many of whom never have been found,
some claimed never to have become
members, the whereabouts of very few
being known to the secretary, thus
rendering the work of getting acquain-
ted, very slow.
3rd. The records in such shape as
to take much precious time in rear
ranging them.
4th. A large debt of nearly $1,000
incurred before the money was col
lected TO pay, thus keeping the associ-
alton financially embarrassed through
the entire year.
9th. The failure of subscribers and
members to pay promtly, thus further
gripping the work. |.
Follow ng these are six other para
graphs enumerating a large number
OF hindrances which have been en-